Back to the Basics: LFL Analyzers and Control Systems

April 29, 2016

There are four main detector types used for combustible gas analyzers:

  1. catalytic
  2. infrared
  3. flame ionization
  4. flame temperature

Although several different types of sensors are employed as LFL monitors, each has an appropriate application to which it is best suited. Other types of detectors, for example electrochemical and tin-oxide semiconductor types, are generally inappropriate. 

Back to the Basics: Recipe Controls

April 22, 2016

The control of variable ventilation rates can undergo an additional improvement that can result in the detection of certain system faults with a greater margin of safety than the previously discussed methods.

Recipe controls use modeling or prototyping or historical records of process variables to determine limits for detection of unacceptable deviations in the LFL control system.

Back to the Basics: Variable Ventilation

April 15, 2016

Variable ventilation controls allow the maximum reduction in ventilation, and thus maximum economy. It also allows some extra corrective action but also one important safety concern: Variable ventilation is based upon the measurement of the L.F.L. concentration and adjustment to ventilation rates through damper or blower controls. 

There are two main types: 

Back to the Basics: Elimination of “pockets” of high concentration

April 8, 2016

Places where pockets of high concentration might occur through uneven ventilation flow or obstruction by the product being coated should be sought out and eliminated. 

In general, the concentration immediately at the product being coated is very high, as the liquid solvent evaporates and only just begins to mix with air. 

Back to the Basics: Detection of Ventilation Loss

April 1, 2016

The minimum ventilation calculations should be made for the “worst case.” A direct measurement of the ventilation rate - using properly situated low-pressure switches - should be connected to the control logic so that the process shuts down immediately if ventilation falls below the minimum required.

In such cases the following shut down logic should be applied: